Knitting Up A Storm

I am a knitting machine! Well, no, not an actual knitting machine – which is a thing – but someone who has been doing a lot of knitting. I am BETTER than a machine, because all my stuff is made with love. And baby slobber. And dog hair. But mostly love.

Here’s what’s been on my needles:

I saw a pair of knit leggings on Pinterest a few weeks ago (which of course I didn’t repin, so I can’t link to the picture now) and thought “hey, I could totally do that”. So I did. Patternless, off the top of my head. Unfortunately, although he was EXTREMELY happy to model them for these photos, yellow leggings don’t really go with the rest of Little Evan’s wardrobe – so these have been shipped off to someone who I know will look even cuter in them.

Pumpkin hat. Caroline’s got one too. Pattern half made up in my head, half from this site.

My first try at this adorable knit necklace my friend Megan made based on the pattern here. It’s two strips knit separately and woven together. You can wear it this way or reverse it for a different braid pattern. I’m going to make a dozen more.

I was afraid I had waited too long to finish this dress I started in the spring, and Caroline would have grown out of the small size before I was done, but with a onesie and leggings it’s still perfect for fall. I’ve never knitted pleats before and was worried they were above my skill level but it turns out they’re totally manageable – even for the kind of disjointed, interrupted, stop and start knitting I do most of the time. (The pattern is called Fiona Baby Sundress and is available for free on Ravelry as a download.)

Classic nautical pea coat buttons in fun colors

Love the pointed hood

If you’ve been around for a while, you might remember me knitting Phoebe Mouse and Phoebe’s sweater. The book also included a toddler sized version of the doll sweater – unfortunately, it was for a 2 year old and my baby is a peanut. So I used the pattern for the mouse-sized coat and did a little math and made it Caroline sized. I’m SO EXCITED that it fits and that she has a beautiful fall coat now. It makes me feel like Caroline Ingalls (who is honest to God one of my actual heroes) that something I made is so FUNCTIONAL. It’s more than a hobby! I make CLOTHES.

I wanted to finish this cowl before I wrote a post about what I was knitting, so I sped through the last 2 inches during every spare minute yesterday. My husband literally took this picture for me at 9:30 last night. It’s the most basic cowl you can possibly make (cast on an odd number of stitches, knit 1 purl 1 until it’s long enough, bind off) but I help the multi-toned yarn double so it’s super warm and comfy.

And finally, one more quick bunny I’ve had 50% finished on a stitch holder since BlogHer in August. It took less than 10 minutes to finish and it feels SO GOOD to now having it staring at me every time I open my knitting bag. FACELESS BUNNY WAS JUDGING ME.

Now all I have to do is finish the sweater I started for E a full year ago – and the one I started for myself even longer ago than that. WHY can’t person-sized sweaters be as fast and fun and easy as baby stuff?! But I will get them done. It’s what Ma Ingalls would want.

I love the dress you made Caroline! I wish I could find the time to make something like that for my daughter! First I would have to quit my job, stop taking classes, AND LEARN TO KNIT! I have loved watching your knitting talent develop over the last year or so! And your photography too! Thank you for sharing! The pumpkin hats are adorable too!

Wow, you are so talented. I LOVE the red coat. I wish I could have something like that for Knox. How cute would that be in green with some monster buttons? But I can’t even find the time to finish his pinwheel b-day garland by next week – let alone knit a whole coat.

You know I already adore your knitting {although a certain toddler girl has been using my coffee coozy as wrist warmers. Which is more hysterical when she’s only in a diaper. I’m sure those wrists do get awfully chilly.

Awwww, so cute! I’m envious you’re finishing things. My knitting life lately has had a lot of starts (for Christmas) and few full finishes. I leave a lot of things with just the weaving-in, because that’s how I enjoy spending Christmas Eve, exactly like a normal person.

Suzanne, I am learning so; for the cowl I cast on as many as I want and then is it knit 1 row and purl 1 row or knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch??? I am dying to make one. The straight knit scarves are getting old.

I knit it in the round – I cast on 75 stitches (held 2 strands to make a super bulky yarn, so cast on more for a thinner yarn), joined in the round knitting one stitch, purling the next. Just keep doing that around and around – since you have an odd number of stitches when you get back to where you started you’ll end up purling the knits and knitting the purls. Bind off in the same k1, p1 pattern when it gets long enough and you’re done!

If you cast on an even number of stitches you’ll end up with 1×1 ribbing. It’s pretty cool.

You have inspired me to consider making something with the super soft yarn and hooks I have sitting in a box. I prefer crochet over knitting but same difference. Yarn homemade goodness. Oh and I adore Caroline’s red coat.

I feel like I haven’t knit anything in SO LONG! I am in a knitting drought. I actually made a pumpkin hat very similar to the one you made, but it was for a friend who is starting a photography business. I need to make something for me!

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Bonjour! No I'm not French, it just sounded fancy. Sorry for the confusion. I'm Suzanne, a 36-year-old mom, photographer, Navy wife, blogger, baker, and amateur at pretty much everything else. The stars of the show are Evan, born 4/5/09, Caroline, born 12/19/2010 and Lincoln, born 7/23/2014. The last bebeh is Finnegan, born 8/30/2016 so he's a toddler now but don't talk to me about that. We live in Connecticut and enjoy it very much except for most of February and March. You can find more of my photos (or even hire me!) over on my photography site, Ginger Snaps Pictures. I love hearing from you so if you have questions, stories or ideas to share, email me at bebehblog@gmail.com .

Affiliate disclosure: some of my posts contain links which may be affiliate links. That means I get Diet Coke money if you happen to like something I mention enough to buy it. I appreciate it!